Backyard Bass Grant Opportunity

September 14th, 2011 | Posted by denise in Boating News & Events | Specials & Contests - (Comments Off)

Backyard Bass - Teaching Kids to CastWe are excited to announce that we are teaming up with Ironwood Pacific Outdoors to offer three Backyard Bass grant opportunities next month. These grants will be made available to organizations promoting fishing and angling education  in the United States and Canada.

Now through September 23, 2011, organizations may register for this grant opportunity at:  http://www.savvyboater.com/backyardbass. Each registered organization will be added to an online voting ballot. Voting will begin on October 1, 2011 and end on October 31, 2011. The three organizations with the most votes will be awarded with a $200, $200, or $50 grant for the purchase of Backyard Bass.

If you know of an organization that promotes fishing or angling education in the United States and Canada, encourage them to register for this grant opportunity.

More About the Backyard Bass

The Backyard Bass – manufactured by Ironwood Pacific Outdoors – are colorful fish-shaped casting targets designed to make learning to cast fun and easy. They are used by angler educators, teachers, and clubs throughout the country to teach and develop casting skills.

A number of educators have taken the idea even further by incorporating knot tying classes with the Backyard Bass Casting Plug and target practice with the Backyard Bass. Other educators have taped real images of fish to the bottom of the Backyard Bass to teach fish identification. This same idea has been used to hold fishing derbies, with the addition of length/weight to the image.

Although the Backyard Bass were originally designed for kids ages 6 and up, they are being used in a variety of teen and adult organizations from high school p.e. classes to rehabilitation programs. They provide kids and adults alike with the foundation to become involved in a positive, lifelong activity.

Backyard Bass - Teach Kids to Cast

 

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Damaged Boats in the Wake of Hurricane Irene

August 29th, 2011 | Posted by denise in Boating News & Events - (Comments Off)

While many marinas and boat owners along the east coast were scrambling to move their boats to higher ground in preparation of hurricane Irene last week, some were not. We can only surmise that either these boat owners must have felt optimistic about their mooring situation or they simply didn’t have the time/means to move their boats inland. Whatever the reason, Irene has done some serious damage to boats left in the water and has stranded others from North Carolina on up to Massachusetts. We’ve pulled together the following images to highlight Irene’s wrath on the boating world:

Damaged Boats in Hurrican eIrene

Boats crash against the dock in Morehead City, NC - Photo by Chuck Burton

 

Shrimp Boat Damaged in Hurricane Irene
Shrimp Boat Damaged in Aurora, NC – Photo by Chuck Burton

 

Sailboat Damaged in Hurricane Irene

Sailboat washed ashore in May Harbor, NJ - Photo by AP/SL

 

Hurricane Irene Beaches Boat on Hwy

Hurricane Irene Beaches Boat on Hwy in Mesic, NC - Photo by Chris Seward

 
Sailboat Stranded by Hurricane Irene

Sailboat Stranded by Hurricane Irene in Hamptons Bays, NY - Photo by GETTY

 

Pontoon Boat Beached from Hurricane Irene in Kill Devil Hills, NC - Photo by Scott Olson

Pontoon Boat Beached from Hurricane Irene in Kill Devil Hills, NC - Photo by Scott Olson

 

Cabin Cruiser Grounded by Irene Winds in Onset, Massachusetts - Photo by David G. Curran

Cabin Cruiser Grounded by Irene Winds in Onset, Massachusetts - Photo by David G. Curran

 

Boats washed ashore in Swampscott, MA - Photo by Ben Cormier

Boats washed ashore in Swampscott, MA - Photo by Ben Cormier

 

Sunken Boat at Crystal Cove Marina in Winthrop, SC - Photo by Bill Frazier

Sunken Boat at Crystal Cove Marina in Winthrop, SC - Photo by Bill Frazier

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the people effected by Hurricane Irene. If your boat sustained any damage during the storm, we hope that the damage to your boat is the worst thing you’ve faced in this disaster. We and our friends will be sending what help we can via The Red Cross.

 

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Savvyboater.com — First to Introduce First Watch Line of PFDs

August 18th, 2011 | Posted by Linda in Boating News & Events | General Interest Boating | Product Reviews - (Comments Off)
firstwatch_av200

Savvyboater.com is pleased to have been selected to be the first marine supplier to carry FirstWatch, a new line of high quality personal flotation devices.  Apex Outdoor Innovations, a company known for their expertise in designing outdoor apparel that excels in both function and comfort, recently launched this new brand of personal flotation devices .

Fit and comfort are the driving concerns for First Watch, because a flotation device that’s unworn, cannot save a life.    Protection, comfort and good looks are engineered into every product they manufacture.  The First Watch line offers a complete range of stylish personal flotation devices along with survival suits and coats.

The FirstWatch line of personal flotation devices includes life vests for recreational boaters from infants to adults, as well as specialized activities like fishing, sailing and paddlesports.  In addition, they have a selection of work vests that have been tested and approved for conditions ranging from frigid arctic waters to the tropics.  First Watch uses only the highest performance foams in the industry, ensuring that every First Watch flotation device will perform when you need it most and last for years.  The soft flotation foam bends when you bend and has millions of air pockets that provide excellent flotation and will retain heat both in or out of the water.

 


What sets FirstWatch apart from other manufacturers is their technology.  The FirstWatch Inflatable PFD was designed with Wave Barrier™ Technology.  This unique Flexi-Wing™ design provides the wearer with enhanced in-water performance with higher freeboard and improved flotation angles. The interlocking lobe design self-rights the wearer in under 5 seconds and provides a critical wave barrier — preventing water from being channelled into the airways.

 Inflatable PFD Inflatable PFD

 


FirstWatch engineers worked with offshore rescue teams and fishing crews to create their unique MMS® Mobility Management System.  Human movement requirements for stretching, sitting, working or even swimming have all been carefully considered in the designs.  The MMS Mobility Management System is incorporated into every FirstWatch flotation suit, bomber jacket, float coat and pants to provide optimum mobility for safety gear that won’t limit your abilities.

 


So whether  you work or play on the water, you can rely on First watch for flotation garments that work as hard as you do.  Let First Watch be the Flotation That You Can Live In.

Westland Striped Bimini Tops Introduction

August 16th, 2011 | Posted by denise in Boating News & Events - (Comments Off)

Dodge Challenger with Racing StripeWe are excited to introduce Westland striped biminis to our existing line of bimini boat tops. Traditional bimini tops are made with one solid color but these unique bimini tops feature a sporty stripe down the center of the top, similar to rally stripes on a vehicle (we think we know where they may have got their inspiration!).

Rally stripes were originally added to Cunningham racing cars in the early 50′s as a way to more easily identify cars during a race.  The idea spread to other racing teams and prompted traditional car manufacturers to introduce stripes to their “sportier” vehicles as a unique selling point.  The addition of stripes became popular on road and muscle cars like the Dodge Shelby and Chevy Chevelle throughout the 60′s and 70′s. The fad slowly phased out over the next decades but has recently became popular again with vehicles like the Dodge Challenger (shown above) and the Ford Mustang.

Boats differentiate themselves in the same way cars do. Some boat owners have chosen to add unique stripes running down the side of the boat while others have wrapped their entire boat with bright, eye-catching graphics. The addition of these sporty striped bimini tops give boat owners yet another way to differentiate their boat from the rest. Each bimini boat top is made with Sharkskin Plus fabric and includes a free storage boot. There are over 90 different color combinations, making it easy to find the right combo for your boat.

Westland Striped Bimini Top

Westland Striped Bimini Boat Top


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Real Live Lake Monsters

August 15th, 2011 | Posted by Loren in Boating Locations | Boating News & Events | General Interest Boating | Tips & Resources - (Comments Off)

zbra Mussels are tiny but pack a punch in waterwaysThere’s a monster lurking in our lakes and rivers, just waiting for the unsuspecting boater…

OK, maybe it isn’t the most imposing looking monster you can imagine, but it packs a punch worthy of Godzilla.  Quagga Mussels or Zebra Mussels have spread across the country from the Great Lakes to the Ohio and Mississippi basins.  If you’re in the east, you are probably well aware of these invasive mollusks, but boaters in the west need to take heed as well.  Recently they have become established in Lakes Mead and Mojave, and in the past week, a contaminated boat was stopped at inspection before entering Lake Tahoe  .

Quagga Mussels fouling a boat's outdrive and Prop

I'd be cranky if Quagga or Zebra Mussels did that to my boat!

So what’s wrong with the Zebra Mussel?  They are pretty small and individually kind of cute, but they reproduce and spread like wild fire causing millions of dollars in damage by clogging pipes and intakes, fouling motors, boat props and hulls.  As voracious plankton eaters, they can  disrupt native ecosystems and the fisheries they support.  All they need to get established is a single boater carrying water contaminated with larvae in bilge or cooling system water.  If that isn’t enough to scare you, how about tons of rotting mussels fouling you favorite picnic shore and leaving the beaches littered with sharp shells?

We recently wrote about 5 Tips for Successfully Trailering with a Boat Cover.  I guess we should add additional trailering tips to thwart the spread of invasive aquatic species like the Quagga Mussel.

Here are three things you should do every time you leave the water:

  • Remove any visible mud, plants, fish or animals from your boat and trailer before moving it;
  • Eliminate water from equipment before transporting;
  • Clean, drain, and dry anything that comes in contact with water (boats, trailers, vehicles, equipment, clothing, dogs, etc.);

While zebra and Quagga mussels have received a lot of press recently, there is an invasive aquatic species threat in just about any location or biome across the country.  For more information on invasive aquatic species, visit the USDA’s web site – http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatics/main.shtml

Quagga Mussels covering a flip flop

that thing she's holding was once a flip-flop - now it's a colony of zebra Mussels

quagga and zebra mussels

Know Your Enemy

 

 

 

 

 

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Would you miss GPS if it were gone?

July 15th, 2011 | Posted by Loren in Boating News & Events | General Interest Boating - (1 Comments)

Ever use GPS when you’re boating (or driving or hiking… )? I do. I have a DeLorme Earthmate that gives me accurate speed and location when I’m trolling, helps me find driving destinations, pin-points potential huckleberry and mushroom patches, and goes geocaching with me. I’d really miss it if it was gone, and I’m only using it for recreation. How many lives and businesses rely on GPS in the United States?

The FCC recently granted LightSquared Subsidiary LLC a waiver allowing them to utilize satellite spectrum adjacent to the GPS frequencies to provide a national broadband internet network. A number of reliable sources have raised serious concerns that this could disrupt GPS services across the country.

While I’m a fan of the internet and my lively hood relies on people having easy access, it seems like there ought to be ways to accomplish expanded broadband access without putting GPS at risk. While the uses I mentioned are recreational, there are critical functions across the nation that also rely on GPS, ranging from 911 responders to aviation, from delivery companies to agriculture, from marine navigation to resource management. Any way you slice it, GPS is a critical utility for US businesses and citizens.
You can learn more (a lot more) about the importance of GPS and threats to the system at teh Save Our GPS Coalition – http://www.saveourgps.org. The site provides resources to help you make your views known to your representatives in Washington. There is currently a bipartisan letter to the FCC signed by 66 Congressmen and another signed by 33 Senators urging the FCC to exercise caution in moving forward with anything

that would endanger our nation’s GPS system.

The FCC issued the public notice on June 30, 2011 and comments will close in about 2 weeks, on July 30, 2011.

take action to help protect our nations GPS system which is critical to boater safety and maritime commerce

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New Yacht Mooring Gear Including Yacht Fenders, Yacht Fender Covers, Chafing Gear and fender Hooks –

July 14th, 2011 | Posted by Loren in Boating News & Events | Product Reviews - (Comments Off)

Stern view of a yacht mooring in FloridaWhile SavvyBoater has always offered a broad selection of larger boat fenders suitable for commercial or yachting uses, we are pleased to announce that we’ve broadened our selection of yacht mooring products.  In addition to a great selection of yacht fenders including Polyform, MegaFend and Taylor Made, we’ve added chafing gear, fender hooks sized for yacht rails and fender covers for Polyform and MegaFend fenders.

Chafe Gear:   Protect your gel coat and lines with chaffing gear from MegaFend.  Our selection includes their heavy duty and ultra-duty ballistic nylon wraps in a variety of sizes for mooring lines from ¾” to 1 ½” in diameter.  We also offer great prices on MegaFend’s popular fluffy sheep’s wool chafe gear that wraps on and secures with Velcro.

Yacht Fender Hooks:  We offer MegaFend brand fender hooks for yachts.  These durable yet attractive hooks feature an aluminum core for strength, covered in stylish leather that has been treated to withstand the elements and is guaranteed against mold and mildew growth.  The inside of each hook is finished with plush sheep’s wool to protect rails and varnish from damage.  MegaFend fender hooks are sized to fit rails from 1” to 4” covering the most popular sizes on the market.  Easily hang your fenders exactly where you need them with these handy hooks.

Fender Covers:  Fender covers provide added protection for your boat’s finish, help eliminate fender squeaks and add a bit of polish to your mooring.

We are offering fender covYacht Fender and fender hooks in Floridaers for the larger Polyform A series buoy / fender, the F Series twin eye fender and the largerHTM and G series fenders.  These are the newer FF style FenderFit fender covers.  They are designed with improved styling and are available in navy blue, forest green or black acrylic for long-lasting wear.

We also have Sunbrella acrylic fender covers for the MegaFend Inflatable MN Series yacht fenders and the Mega Solid Core yacht fenders.   We offer the popular black color, but they can be produced in a vast array of Sunbrella colors.  Give us a call at 866-560-1330 if you need a custom color.

 

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Extreme Summer Weather Makes For Challenging Boating Conditions Around the US.

July 12th, 2011 | Posted by Loren in Boating Locations | Boating News & Events - (Comments Off)
Flooding at Lake Wappapello in Missouri

Flooding at Missouri's Lake Wappapello

It’s been a weird summer as far as boating weather is concerned.  Here in Oregon, it is still feeling like April, and I see a lot of boats still covered and tucked away.  In the mean time, we’re talking with customers in the Mid-west and dams are over flowing and in some places most of the boating seems to be getting from house to house.  Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River in Montana is releasing water at record rates of 60,000 cfs in attempts to avoid a failure that could cascade down the Missouri river system.  Further east in the stat of Missouri, one of our customers shared a photo of the dam breaching on his local favorite Lake Wappapello, with views of the highway below washed out.

If you’re feeling too soggy where you are, you could try Texas.   Lakes Travis and Buchanan are drawn down to 50%-60% of capacity leaving dry land where the fuel dock used to be and the levels are still dropping at around 1.4’ per week.  According to the American Statesman this has led to shallows, rocks and other unexpected debris are being exposed causing a number of boating accidents.

Severe drought in Texas leaves boaters high and dry

Severe drought in Texas leaves boaters high and dry

“There’s still a lot of water” in Lake Travis, said Don Brent, LCRA chief of public safety. “But this place is constantly changing.”

Boats in Lake Travis are running aground more than usual, he said, and accidents are more common at night when shallow areas are practically invisible. Most damage is minor and to the hull, propeller or motor.

Brent urged boaters to wear personal flotation devices and to take note of mile markers on the lake, so they can give a location if they do get in an accident.

Those are the kind of conditions that lead to dinged props and worse.  While we can’t help you with hull damage, we can assist you in replacing a boat prop.  We’re currently offering free shipping specials on Solas and QuickSilver stainless steel propellers and we have unbeatable prices on aluminum props.

 

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Watching Fireworks From Your Boat this 4th of July

June 30th, 2011 | Posted by Loren in Boating Locations | Boating News & Events - (Comments Off)

watching fireworks from a boatWhen I was growing up, we used to watch a fireworks display that was shot out over the Pacific Ocean from Cape Kiwanda in near Pacific City, Oregon.  It was a highlight of the summer to spend a day trolling for salmon the our dory,then head in and barbeque the catch.  This was followed by watching the fireworks show reflected in the ocean.

These days anchoring up on the Columbia to watch the 4th of July fireworks from Fort Vancouver is a popular way to spend the 4th in the Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington area, but watching fireworks from your boat can be a real treat wherever you are.

As you head out, you’ll want to remember a few things:

  • Make sure you have some good sun protection like a Bimini top, so you don’t get cooked before the sun sets.
  • Check that all of you night running lights are in good working order
  • Take an extra flashlight or two
  • Prepare with good navigation aids, particularly if you are traveling at night in unfamiliar waters.

Here are a couple of interesting sources for boat bound fireworks watching we ran across.

  • If you happen to be on the other side of this great country, Florida by Water has a great article on 2011 4th of July events around that state.  http://www.floridabywater.com/component/content/article/1745
  • While this article on The Top 10 Place to Watch Fireworks on the Water” http://www.businesstravellogue.com/things-to-do/top-10-places-to-watch-fireworks-on-the-water.html is a little dated, I’d expect most of these events from around the country to be planned for 2011.

What’s your favorite place to watch fireworks on the 4th?  Do you watch from your boat?  Let us know and we’ll try and compile our own list of best boating fireworks locations.

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MegaFend MN Series Inflatable Yacht Fenders added to SavvyBoater’s Yacht Fender Line-up – 262911

June 29th, 2011 | Posted by Loren in Boating News & Events | Product Reviews - (Comments Off)

A beautiful Yacht mooring in Key West, Florida

If you’ve shopped SavvyBoater before, you probably know that we’re a boat fender powerhouse. We offer one of the widest selections of boat fenders on the market and pride ourselves in having some extremely competitive prices on Polyform Bouys and fenders, Taylor Made fenders and many others.

In a recent staff meeting some said, “You know guys, when it comes to Boat Fenders, we’re really good, but if we had more options in Yacht Fenders, we’d be even better.” That comment led to the creation of our new Yacht Fender category and the addition of MegaFend Fenders to our line-up.

MegaFend produces a line of inflatable fenders including four sizes ranging from durable little 36” to a massive 75” fender with a 38” stand-off. Each of these fenders features a rope loop at each end that allows it to be hung horizontally or vertically depending on your mooring conditions. In addition to the “twin-eye” style inflatables, Megafends has recently released two new round inflatable fenders with 28” and 38” stand-offs. These are a great option when you need the diameter, but can’t accommodate the length.

MegaFend MN65 Inflatable Yacht Fender at SavvyBoater.com

Megafend MN65 Yacht Fender

Now I know you’re saying, “Hey, you’ve already got the Polyform F Series Fenders, what do you need another brands of big inflatable for?” The beauty of it is, while there are some overlaps in function, each product has some unique features that really set them apart.

Polyform F Series Yacht Fenders and A Series Buoys are extremely durable and deflate, but the heavy material they are made of limits how far they can be compressed for storage in a deflated state. For toughness and overall durability, they would be my choice.

MegaFend MN Series Yacht Fenders are made from a softer material and can be deflated and rolled up for ease of storage if you have limited space and need to carry your fenders along to the next port of call. Now you may be wondering what that softer material means in terms of strength. I know we were until we saw this MegaFend video. I’d choose MegaFend if my mooring conditions were mild to moderate and I had limited space to store a fender.
Stop by and check out our Boat fender Selection and stay tuned here for more information on our offerings of MegaFend’s Solid Core “Hold Through the Middle” line of fenders and the yacht fender hooks and chaffing gear to complete your set-up.

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